IIT Bombay postpones mid-sem exams; Parents of Sahil Wakode launch hunger strike for justice

Mumbai: Amid controversy over a student's suicide, IIT Bombay has postponed mid-semester exams scheduled for 26–27 September to 10–11 October, according to an institute official. The decision comes as the parents of deceased second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode began an indefinite hunger strike on Thursday to demand justice and legal action against individuals they accuse of harassing their son.

Prior to the protest, Mumbai Police detained Sahil’s father Ravindra Wakode as he was travelling towards the IIT Bombay campus. Speaking on the matter, Ravindra demanded that those responsible for torturing his son be imprisoned, stating that Sahil had repeatedly disclosed facing caste-based discrimination at the institute.

The 22-year-old student was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, hours after an invigilator allegedly caught him using an AI platform during an examination. The Crime Branch is currently investigating his death, focusing on his movements and interactions after he was asked to leave the exam hall. Investigators are also scrutinising examination room CCTV footage, which shows Sahil looking at a mobile phone before being approached by the invigilator.

Sahil’s parents have called for an independent inquiry into the selective leakage of CCTV footage to the media, questioning why only specific clips were released. They previously met with Kishor Makwana, Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, to submit a formal list of demands.

Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident, the commission has registered a complaint and initiated an investigation into allegations of discrimination and harassment.

(With PTI inputs)